MELAKA: The shift of some 300,000 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) graduates in not pursuing higher education is expected to have a detrimental impact on the country's human resources, particularly in the effort to achieve 35 per cent new highly skilled workforce in the economic sector by 2030.
Deputy Minister of Human Resources Mustapha Sakmud said most SPM certificate-holders are more interested in working in the gig economy sector like e-hailing or choosing to work in the manufacturing sector.
"This trend is very worrying and it is expected to have an impact on the country's human resources in the future. Right now, we only managed to reach a target of around 28 per cent of highly skilled workforce in the country.
"We are worried that we will not be able to become a developed country with sufficient highly skilled manpower in the near future," he said after the 2023 Southern Zone Industrial Harmony Symposium here today.
Earlier, the media reported that Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan revealed that around 300,000 SPM graduates do not continue their studies every year and are likely to choose to work in the factory or e-hailing sector.
Commenting further, Mustapha said SPM (fifth form) graduates are encouraged to work while studying, especially in short-term courses to ensure they obtain at least a skills certificate in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) that can be used for a brighter future.
He said the government through the Ministry of Human Resources and the Department of Manpower is also actively promoting TVET among students to attract their interest in continuing their studies in the technical field.
He said the government is also studying the progressive wages used in most countries including Singapore to increase worker productivity and to curb the country's workforce from migrating abroad to work.
In other developments, he said as many as 2,182 cases or 67 per cent of the total 3,260 cases were reinstated under section 20 of the Industrial Relations Act 1967 (Act 177) involving termination of service which were successfully resolved at the department's level this year.
"Of the total number of cases resolved, 57 per cent or 1,249 cases were successfully resolved through peaceful negotiations with monetary compensation or ex-gratia amounting to RM24.9 million while in the three-year period from 2021 to 2023, the department resolved cases through compensation or ex-gratia amounting to RM90.4 million to 3,689 employees.
"In the same period, for the southern zone, compensation or ex-gratia of RM13.5 million was paid to 1,505 workers," he said.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Thu Jul 20 2023
Deputy Minister of Human Resources Mustapha Sakmud said most SPM certificate-holders are more interested in working in the gig economy sector like e-hailing or choosing to work in the manufacturing sector. - FTP TERENGGANU/Filepic
Team Malaysia Junior and Senior Teams shine at ICU World Cup Korea
Team Malaysia celebrated remarkable achievements at the ICU World Cup in Korea, with the Junior Team clinching first place and the Senior Team earning a well-deserved second place.
What parents need to know about adolescent health and vaping
Nicotine is an incredibly addictive drug that produces feelings of pleasure and relaxation within seconds of inhaling a vape.
Desperate for cash, Gazans sell clothes plucked from rubble
Widespread shortages and months of grinding war have generated a trade in old clothing, mostly salvaged from homes of people who have died.
Chile's 'seed guardians' grow and protect forgotten food varieties
The guardians collect, trade and plant hundreds of seeds to preserve forgotten varieties of tomatoes, corn and other vegetables.
Saying 'no' to mobile phone use while driving
Mobile phones have become indispensable, yet their impact on road safety remains insufficiently examined.
How ASEAN's cybersecurity push could protect people and economies
ASEAN is stepping up to create a more secure regional cyberspace.
How lab-grown meat can feed our need for protein
Putting meat on people's plates is a significant contributor to global warming.
Developing nations blast $300 billion COP29 climate deal as insufficient
Some delegates gave the deal a standing ovation in the COP29 plenary hall. Others lambasted wealthy nations for not doing more.
Johor's four-and-a-half-day work week depends on state govt's rationale - Azalina
She said the state government must have valid reasons for the proposal but declined to elaborate further.
Gunman shot dead, 3 police injured in shooting near Israeli embassy in Jordan
The kingdom has witnessed some of the biggest peaceful rallies across the region as anti-Israel sentiment runs high over the war in Gaza.
23 killed, 45 injured in fresh Israeli airstrikes on eastern Lebanon
Over 3,600 people have been killed by Israeli attacks in Lebanon so far.
Is climate change making tropical storms more frequent? Scientists say it's unclear
Scientists say it remains unclear how much climate change is reshaping the storm season.
Samples obtained by Chinese spacecraft show moon's ancient volcanism
The material provides new insight into the moon's geological history including the oldest evidence to date of lunar volcanism.
The scamdemic targeting the young and vulnerable
Teenagers and young adults are becoming prime targets for a new wave of cyber scams, a trend raising alarm bells across Southeast Asia.
Japanese manicurist takes on plastic pollution, one nail at a time
Before global leaders address plastic pollution, a Japanese manicurist highlights the issue by incorporating it into her nail designs.
What to watch for ahead of US presidential inauguration
Here's a timeline of events between now and inauguration day.
The battle to reduce road deaths
In Malaysia, over half a million road accidents have been recorded so far this year.
Pro-Palestinian NGOs seek court order to stop Dutch arms exports to Israel
The Dutch state, as a signatory to the 1948 Genocide Convention, has a duty to take all reasonable measures at its disposal to prevent genocide.
How quickly can Trump's Musk-led efficiency panel slash US regulations?
Moves by Trump and his appointees to eliminate existing rules will be met with legal challenges, as many progressive groups and Democratic officials have made clear.
2TM: Consultations on PTPTN loans, admission to IPTA at MOHE booth
Consultations on PTPTN loans and admission to IPTA are among services provided at the Higher Education Ministry booth.